Thanatochemistry A Survey of General, Organic, and Biochemistry for Funeral Service Professionals

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This is the only chemistry reference produced specifically for mortuary science by a major publisher. In a comprehensible manner, the authors present the essential facts of chemistry and the chemical aspects of other sciences related to mortuary science. It follows closely the recommended course curriculum and glossary of the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Topic organization flows logically from inorganic to organic to biochemistry. Examples of solved problems and common mistakes are provided, and embalming applications are offered throughout. Physical and Chemical Changes; States and Types of Matter; Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonding; Chemical Shorthand: Symbols, Formulas, and Equations; Radiation Chemistry; Oxygen; Hydrogen; Water; Solutions; Acids, Bases, Salts, and Ionization; Hydrates and Hydrolysis; Hydrocarbons; Alcohols and Ethers; Aldehydes and Ketones; Carboxylic Acids and Esters; Amines and Amides; Proteins; Enzymes; Carbohydrates; Lipids; Summary of the Action and Composition of Embalming Fluids. MARKET:A comprehensive reference for mortuary science professionals.

James M. Dorn received his B.S. in Biology and a Chemistry Minor from Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois. He then went on to receive his M.S. in Virology at the University Of Cincinnati College Of Engineering. He is very involved in the field of embalming. He is an Ohio Licensee in Embalming and Funeral Directing, a member of Ohio Funeral Directors Association Disaster Response Team, a member of Ohio Embalmers Association, a Chairman American Board of Funeral Service Education National Board Examination Liaison Committee, the Vice President University Mortuary Science Education Association, and also an Education Consultant at the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. Currently, James M. Dorn is the Chairman of the Department of Embalming Sciences at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and is currently teaching Anatomy, Chemistry, Pathology and Microbiology.

Dr. Barbara Hopkins received her B.A. and Ph.D. from the Catholic University of America. She is currently the Associate Professor and Chair of the chemistry department at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her areas of expertise are Laser Induced Fluorescence, ICP-AES of organo-metal compounds. She received the McDonald Award for Outstanding Teaching in the Sciences in 1999.

General Chemistry

Introduction

Definition of Chemistry

Divisions of Chemistry

Chemical Measurements

Chapter Summary

Questions

Physical and Chemical Changes

Physical Properties

Chemical Properties

Physical and Chemical Changes

Chapter Summary

Questions

States and Types of Matter

Solid→Liquid→Gas

Solid→Gas

Characteristics of States of Matter

Types of Matter

Chapter Summary

Questions

Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonding

Atoms

The Periodic Table

Chemical Bonding

Chapter Summary

Questions

Chemical Shorthand: Symbols, Formulas, and Equations

Symbols

Formulas

Molecular Mass

Naming of Compounds

Equations

Chapter Summary

Questions

Radiation Chemistry

Radioactivity

Transmutation

Half-Life

Artificial Transmutations

Radiation Quantities and Units

Radiation Detectors

Protection from Radiation

Sources of Radiation Encountered by Embalmers

Vehicles of Radionuclide Therapy

Preparation of the Body Without Autopsy

Preparation of the Autopsied Body

Cremation

Summary of Precautionary Procedures

Chapter Summary

Questions

Oxygen

Facts about Oxygen

Physical Properties

Chemical Properties

Methods for the Preparation of Oxygen

Factors Affecting Reaction Rates

Forms of Oxygen

Chapter Summary

Questions

Hydrogen

Facts about Hydrogen

Physical Properties

Chemical Properties

Preparation of Hydrogen

Chapter Summary

Questions

Water

Facts about Water

Physical Properties

Hydrogen Bonding

Chemical Properties

Preparation of Water

Classes of Impurities in Water

Hardness in Water

Other Purification Methods

Chapter Summary

Questions

Solutions

Types and Components of Solutions

Solubility

Concentration Terms

Properties of Solutions

Application of Osmotic Principles to Embalming

Colloids and Suspensions

Chapter Summary

Questions

Acids, Bases, Salts, and Ionization

Self-Ionization of Water

Definitions of Acids and Bases

Arrhenius Theory

Common Aqueous Bases

Properties of Aqueous Acids and Bases

Brønsted-Lowry Theory

Lewis Theory

Anhydrides

Salts

Ionization

pH: Hydrogen-Ion Concentration

Chapter Summary

Questions

Hydrates and Hydrolysis

Hydrates

Hydrolysis

Chapter Summary

Questions

Organic Chemistry

Introduction

Nature of Organic Chemistry

Properties of Carbon

Functional Groups

Formulas

Chapter Summary

Questions

Hydrocarbons

Types and Properties of Hydrocarbons

Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Sources of Aromatic Compounds

Chapter Summary

Questions

Alcohols and Ethers

Alcohols

Important Alcohols in Embalming

Phenols

Cresols

Resorcinol

Hexyl Resorcinol

Hexachlorophene

Comparison of Alcohols as Germicides

Thioalcohols (Mercaptans)

Ethers

Chapter Summary

Questions

Aldehydes and Ketones

Aldehydes

Ketones

Chapter Summary

Questions

Carboxylic Acids and Esters

Structure of Organic Acids

Monocarboxylic Acids

Aromatic Carboxylic Acids

Acidic Nature of Carboxylic Acids

Organic Salts

Dicarboxylic Acids

Hydroxy Acids

Chelates

Lactic Acid

Esters

Thioesters

Chapter Summary

Questions

Amines and Amides

Amines

Reactions of Amines

Aromatic Amines

Heterocyclic Amines

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

Chapter Summary

Questions

Biochemistry

Introduction

Elemental Composition

Molecular Composition

Macromolecules

Metabolism

Chapter Summary

Questions

Proteins

Protein Composition

Amino Acids

Amphoterism

Peptide Linkage

Cross-Linking of Proteins

Protein Structure

Hemoglobin

Breakdown of Hemoglobin

Denaturation

Protein Breakdown

Chapter Summary

Questions

Enzymes

Enzyme Function

Nomenclature

Chemical Properties of Enzymes

Regulation of Enzyme Activity

The Role of Enzymes in Decomposition

Chapter Summary

Questions

Carbohydrates

Definition and Classification

Monosaccharides

Disaccharides

Polysaccharides

Proteoglycans

Reactions of Carbohydrates

Synthesis of Adenosine Triphosphate

Muscle Contraction: Rigor Mortis

Chapter Summary

Questions

Lipids

Classification of Lipids

Simple Lipids

Compound Lipids

Miscellaneous Lipids

Reactions of Lipids

Significance of Lipids to the Embalming Process

Chapter Summary

Questions

Summary of the Action and Composition of Embalming

Fluids

Actions of Preservative Chemicals

Preservation by Formaldehyde

Embalming Fluids: Basic Types

Factors Influencing Stability of Fluids (Shelf Life)

Potentially Hazardous Chemicals used in Embalming or Present in the Mortuary